The artwork titled “Study of horses” is attributed to the venerable artist Leonardo da Vinci and is believed to have been created around 1490 in Milan, Italy. This piece is an exemplar of the High Renaissance art movement and is characterized as a sketch and study. The medium employed for this artwork is metalpoint on paper, and it measures 25 cm in height and 18.7 cm in width.
Upon examining the artwork, one observes the meticulous detail with which Leonardo has captured the anatomy and musculature of the horse. The central figure is a horse rendered in profile, demonstrating Leonardo’s masterful grasp of equine form and his ability to convey both strength and grace. There are also additional sketches of horse limbs, notably the legs, situated around the main figure. This suggests that the artwork served as a study, focused on the precise depiction of horse anatomy, which is underlined by the visible strokes and contours that emphasize the musculature and movement of the animal. While the background remains undetailed, the horse itself is given a sense of volume and texture through Leonardo’s intricate lines, showing the animal’s powerful physique and dynamic posture. This careful attention to detail reflects the quintessential Renaissance pursuit of understanding and representing the natural world with accuracy and depth.
